Blockmaking machine



BLOCK MAKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 AT TORN EY Dec. 27, 1949 R, COATES ETAL 2,492,415

BLOCK MAKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 l In f2s l v u u 5| c I -J 23 26 29 3G 29" 1w k/, 37 /66 24 |4`` 14/1 I) l C K il (l Il U) l. I) nl! I .ulml 7 3. 54 53 \55 |2 53 54 65 67 2 @gd )i 1 ,(l D) Kl ell ll l) (l il (C INVENTORS LEE R COATES d I YLE J. RElsl-:R

- ATTORNEY DCC- 27; l'949 l.. R. CoA-rss ETAL. 2,492,415

BLOCK MAKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TORS LEE R. COATES LY L .E J. REISER ATTORNEY e@ s 194% L. R. com-Es ETAL 2,492,415

BLOCK MAKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1948 5 sheets-sheet 4 INVENTORS LEE R COATES I YLE J REISER ATTOR N EY Dec. 27, 1949 l.. RjcoATEs ETAL 2,492,415

BLOCK MAKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A IN V EN TORS LEE R COATES LYLE J REIS ER ATTORN EY Patented Dec. 27. 1949 UNITED ES -OFFIfJE BLOCKMAKIN G .MACHINE Lee 1R.'Coa; tes anl'yle J. ReiserJ ,Newbergg Oreg.

Application December 2, 1948,-vSeri,a1.No.f63,05

(o1. '2s-4r) 6 Claims.

This `invention relates to block making machines Aand is particularlysadapted for'the making of concrete, pumice and 'the like Ytype of block. Y

The primary object of our new and :'unproved block making machine Ais to make a lblock consist-ing of two solid `body members spaced apart by `spacer bars. By making a 2lelook of 'this nature a Vdouble wall'construction can y"loe made from the --blocks 'having an almost complete air space between the walls, the `spacing members taking up a'minimurn-'of space and reducing rthe heat, :col-d and moisture iconductivity Yfrom 'one wall -to another.

A further object of the invention `is -to construct a blockrof this type so that insulating "materials may he easily -lolovvn in #betweenthe outside-and inside wall.

Another vobject of `the invention is the `reduction of moisture :conductivity betweenthe walls -due to the fact that if metal or solid type spacers are used they will not conduct moisture there-through as is the .case in a 'block consist-ing ofn spa-cling partitions of the same material, yas "block,

' A still .further object of our invention to provide a machine :for the :making oi ythe alcove described .type of block Athat will -manufacturetbe blocks :in a .continuous operation, 'the said machine having means Vytherein for iholdfingthe spacing elements.

Y Another .object Aof the invention lis providing a form for 'forming-the blocksthat lWillrreceive and hold the .spacing members while the blocks v,are being ,cast yand .also mea-ns being `provided in the mold for releasing the saidfspacing memberswhen thecast block is ,beingremcved from the form.

A further object .of the inventiongis to provide a Continuous Conveyor for delivering the .blocks from the location of the form-totheir destination beyond the machine.

And another .object of the invention Ais `:to vprovide a positive means -of discharging the yblock from the form so .thatthe shape of the ,block may be accurately maintained While vfemm/ing the same from the said forms.

` These and other incidental objects will loe Vanparen't in the drawings, `spe ciiica'tion and claims.

Referring to ,the drawings.:

' Figure 1 is an elevation view ,of .our new and improved 'block making machines, .parts .broken awayior convenience of illustration. f

"Figure 2 is a sectional view taken lon .line 42-.2

of `Figure Vl, parts broken away for convenienceV 12 taken ,on line .,3--3. .ofFg-ur-e 2,J illustrating .the block having been ormed and being discharged from the form, parts rofthe machine broken away for convenience of illustration.

Figure l iS .a ,plan .sectional detail View 'taken on line .ll-.1 'olf 'Figure 2. parts'broken away for convenell 0i illustration.

'Figure 5 is a detail enlarged sectional .view taken .through the 'form A.0n line 5-5 .0f Heute This View has 'the .discharging plunger .added thereto which isnot shown in lFigure 14..

'Figure 6 is the same as Figure 5 illustrating how theblock iS being Idis'sfilare'ed .from the iorm.

Figure is especial end .View o fangislhe'd blofrk having been formed 'by our new and 'improved block making machine.

'Referring'more specifically to .the drawings:

lOurnew and lrriproved -b1ock making machine consists of a main frame l comprised Lof vertical uprightiframemembersi secured together by .the crossframes A3. vertically disposed guide rods l are nxedly mounted Atothe frame members 5. which in turn Aform part ofthe main frame assembly I. The -'ohjeot `and"purpose Vrof `these vertica-l guiderodsis to provide a means 'for guiding theeross head or ramet on 'the vertical axis of the machine.

The cross head '6 operated `by Jthe `.l'iydraulic cylinder l, which in turn is supported at 8 tothe frame Work I9,-loest illustrated fin 'Figures 1 and 2. Thelpiston'rod `'Nl of thecylinder Tis'iixedly secured #to the-erosshead 6 at 11,thefcylinder'raising and lowering the said'crossrhead in :themanner .to lbe 'later described.

A ipla'tform'flZ is supported by a second cross head I3 by way.of the1hanger rods 44, #which -in turn 'are guided:throughthe-eross head1-or Aframe-it; at l 5. Referringstovlligures 1, `zand 3, oppositely disposed frame members I6 forming part ofthe cross head :6 Vriurtlzxer .guide the said cross head relaties dao Afthe :guide `:rods :f4 by the Aidear-ings 42|. Extending upwardly from stheeross head i3 and forming pa-rt thereof and .disposed VY,oploosiv-tely to one another are brackets 18. Running longitudinaally of :these .brackets are l.guide lways 19,

which iare `adapted .to receive fthe rollers l20, the rollers .27D ,being rotatably amounted to ithe :stub shafts 2| ,eformingpart of the framework :I6 vof the cross head-d. rTgheiframework 16 fofxthe `cross head 6 fraises-and lowers the cross head |13, .fto-

ether with the cross .head of fthe platform .12. The operation .of Y-lfzhf.19;l:i vwill ,Foe :more `fully described later.

.A box-.like form .2.2 Afor -molding l:the block, is mounted to the hangers 23, which in turn are supported by the frame members 5, best illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4. Referring particularly to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the form 22 has side frames 25 secured thereto, oppositely disposed from each other and resting upon the foot members v23 of the hangers 23. The form is positioned between the hangers 23 by way of the guide rods 21, which are xedly secured to the side frames 25 at 30 and extend up through the frame members 5. Springs 28 encircle the guide rods 2l and bear down against the side frames 2'5 of the form, as best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Adjustable stops or supports 29 are threaded through the feet 26 of the hangers 23 for supporting the frames 25 and adjusting the height of the form 22.

Extending from the side of the form 22 and flush with the top of the side walls of the form is a platform 3i, which is braced by the gusset plates 32 from the side of the form. The object of this platform is to support the hopper 33 which receives its supply of block making material from the chute 34 when it is in the position shown in Figure 1. The operation of this hopper will be later described.

The form 22 is divided into compartments or forms 35 into which the block making material is poured from the hopper 33. A movable pallet 36 is adapted to close the bottoms of the compartments 35 when the material is poured by the hopper 33, and is supported by the frame work 3T mounted upon the platform I2, which in turn is supported by the hanger rods I4 from the upper cross head member I3. This construction will be more fully described in the operation of the machine to follow.

Extending downwardly and forming part of the cross head 6 are plungers 39 comprised of sheet material having feet 40, best illustrated in Figures 3 and 6. The feet 40 Work up and down within the compartments 35 of the form 22 in theoperation of the machine, and are adapted to maintain the cast block members 4I in their molded shape while being discharged from the form, the edges of the feet 40 having a sliding t completely around the inner walls of the compartments, insuring a cleansing of the compartment when the block is being discharged therefrom.

Referring to Figure 7 our new and improved block consists of two solid block members 42 spaced apart by spacing rods 43. These spacing rods consist of rectangular rings 44, as best illustrated in Figure 3 being cast Within the material 4I when the same is poured into the forms. These rings 44 are inserted into the form 22 from underneath by a special lifting rack 45 after the previous block has been discharged from the form.

We will now describe the operation of our block making machine. Block making material is delivered from the chute 34 into the hopper 33. When the hopper is full the same is pushed over the platform 3| by the action of the operating cylinder 46 through the lever 4'I. When the hopper is directly over the form 22 it will Contact the electric switch 48 (referring to Figure 4) closing an electric circuit through the motors 49. The motors 49 drive the Vibrator shafts 58 by way of the belts I at a high rate of speed.

The shafts 56 are journalled within bearings 52 secured to the frame members 25 of the form, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The vibration created by these vibrator shafts settle the material in the compartments of the form 22. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 it will be noted that the pallet 36 is contacting the bottom of the form, the same is being held in this upper position by the solenoid latches 53 of the solenoids 54 engaging the under surface 55 of the platform I2, which holds the frame work 3l and the pallet 36 in raised position underneath the form 22.

When the material has been vibrated in the form, the hopper 33 is moved by the cylinder 46 in the opposite direction of the arrow to the position shown in Figure 1. The operator of the machine then operates the lever 56 which rotates the control shaft 5l which controls a hydraulic Valve within the hydraulic pumping unit 58, causing the piston rod I6 to lower the cross head assembly 6 from the position illustrated in Figure l, lowering the plungers 39 Within the compartments 35 pushing downwardly against the material 4I. Just as the feet 40 engage the top surface of the material Within the form, the rollers 26 carried by the cross head frame assembly 6 will engage the lower end of the guide ways I9 of the brackets I8, which form part of the cross head assembly I3.

When this happens the frame work I6 of the cross head engages the plunger 59 of the electric switch 60 (Figure 3). This will close the electric circuit through the solenoids 54 (Figure 2) withdrawing the latches 53 from underneath the platform I2. At the same instant this happens, the core pin 6I, forming part of the solenoid 62, will engage the holes 63 located in the brackets I8 (Figures 1 and 3). This Will prevent the upper cross head I3 and the platform I2 from dropping down when the latches 53 of the solenoid 54 are released, therefore as the piston rod Il] lowers the plungers 39 down through the form, the movable pallet 36 will be permitted to be lowered n simultaneously therewith (refer to Figures 5 and Just before the pallet 36 has been lowered to its full travel permitted by the piston rod I0, the platform I2 will engage the plunger 64 of the switch 65 energizing the solenoid 62, disengaging the core pin 6I from the hole 63 within the brackets I8. At this time the piston I8 will have travelled down its full distance together with the cross head assembly 6, but by releasing the locking pin 6I it will permit the cross head I3 to lower a slight distance further depositing the pallet 36 on the conveyor chains 66, at which time the platform I2 will engage the base or stop 6l stopping the downward movement of the said platform. By the slight extra movement of the platform I2 after the plungers 39 have been stopped in their downward travel, due to the full travel of the piston rod Iil and the cross head assembly '3, a clearance exists between the top of the finished block and the foot members 46 of the plungers 39, permitting the block to be carried away transversely of the form 22 and the machine by the conveyor chain 66.

We have just described the complete forming of a block and the discharging of the same from the forms. We will now describe the method of inserting the spacer rings 44 into the forms. A special rack assembly 45 supports the rings as best illustrated in Figure 1. The control lever 56 is operated so as to raise the cross head assembly 5 to the position shown in Figure 5, raising the plungers 39 to just clear the top of the form.

At this point the roller 20 carried bythe cross assembly be inst -ensagingtthe upper end 65 of the :guide -ways .-19 allowing .the p12/i7- i2 ltofremain on .the base 61. This provides an open -clearance between the vbettom of the ferm -22 andthe topof the pallet ysupltiorting frame Werk .31., permitting the rack .assembly 4E to .be moned in the direction .of the arrow, Figure 1, the `typerating cylinderd `which is pivoted to fthe frame l. .at '8L When the ,rack reaches a point directly Vunder -the form, .the operating .cylinder 82 will raise the rack assembly 45 .byraising ,the inverted Ufshaped frame assembly 10, `togetlfler with the rack up underneath the form r22 toreing the tie ,ring-s .44 up into the slots H of the partitions 1.2 within the form (Figures l, .5 :and 6J fWhen [the ring-s lare in place as illustrated in Figure .a locking bar or latch J3 engages the spacer bars 4,3 of `the vspacer rings .44 by way ref the'notch'es 1 4. Thelockir-ig bar 13- is maintained these. spacer bars 43 by the faction of the trigger' lever 7.5., which is pivotally `mounted within the form at "i6 and to the .locking bars 13 at 11, `a spring 1.8 vforcing the bar 13 against the spacers 43; After the spacer rings 44 have been shoved in ,place by the rack 45, the rack is lowered Yby .the operating `cylinder .82 and with drawn .sidewise .in .the opposite direction lof the arrow by the operating .cylinder 8D.

The loking bars dT3 .and .the trigger levers 1.5 operate .between the partitions 1.2 vof the mold, best illustrated vin .Figures 3., 5 `and .6. These double walls 'fiorm the cores .of the .double blocks being molded. 'The walls 12 encasing the above mentioned parts 'or supporting .the .spacer .rings 4,4 while the block is .being molded. The vwld-th of the locking bars 13 lis suflicient to cover the slots '11, ,preventing the entry .of concrete between the walls 12 of the .cores We do not wish to vb'e limited to any particular type of loading rack, as other methods maybe employed to place the rings within the forms, but We liaye'merely illustrated in generalities a method o'f placing .the-rings within the form. After the 'rack 45 has inserted the rings, as above described, within 'the iorm and completely withdrawn to 'the position illustrated inFigfur-e 1, `the cross head assembly S will .continue to travel upwardly, 'the ro1ler12'0 engaging the upper .end .6B ofthe brackets I 8 will then raise the bottom .cross head l2 "to the position shown in Figures .1 and2 after .apallet '36 'has been placed upon .the frame 31. When the piston `ll'has reached the, top .of its stroke the lower cross head I2 will have been raised sufficiently so 'that the solenoid latches 15.3 will have engaged its under surface `holding the cross head'13 andthe lower platform 12in raised position, maintaining the pallet ST6 .under the form ready to fill 'the form with .block material .as above described.

When the form 22 has been .lled with .block making materialand the plungers 39 havestarted downwardly .and slightly before their feet40 .contact the block material within the form, the vertical cams'lll, which are -xedly secured to the crosslhead .8, engage the trigger levers ,15, best illustrated in .Figure 5, pivoting the .said .lever about the .pivotpoint .16 Withdrawing'theulocking bars J3 lfrom engagement with thefspacer rings 1 as illustrated in Figure l8, permitting the downward movement -of the block 42, the pallet and the framework-31 from the form 22 in the discharging of `the .block from the said form.

Although certainspecic embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is obvious "that` Ymany mediflcations thereof are pessible. The invention, 'therefore is .not be restricted except in .so far as .is -nee essiia-ted the v prior art and vby the Vspiritpf the :appended claims..

What we claim is.:

1. A block molding machine comprising .a mai-n frame, a mold open at :its top and bottem and supported by ,said main frame fin fixed relation, a sub-trame slidably mounted on .said main frame tor -rertieal .movement .above :said mold, pushers carried by :said .sub-frame for :expelling blocks fsa/id mold, a :pallet supporting :frame yslid-- ably mounted relativeto said-main .fra-me for ventieal movement beneath said mold .to removably pdsition-a pallet against the bottom o f :said mold, means for releasa'bly securing said pallet frame in its upper position with .a pallet against v:the bottom of :said mold, means -for lowering and .raissaid sub-frame, .means operative upon .selectiye loweringof saidfsub-f-rame for locking it-.w-ith said pallet fra-me to be moved together withsaid pushersspaeedthe heightof a molded blockabove a pallet carried by the Apallet frame., means simultaneously operative by said sub-frame for releasing lsaid pallet frame securing means te vperm-it movement of vsaid pallet rirame with .said :subirame, v'means operative by .said pall-et frame kas .it is lowered to free a block from saidzmold to release said sub-frame locking means :and per-mit the .raising .of ,said sub-frame relative to said pallet frame --while -a zpallet and .molded block .are remeved .therefrom .and -a fresh pallet placed thereon, .and means operati-.Ve by the raising pf said sub-frame for subsequently raising .said palletl frame to its upper position.

J2. .-A block molding machine comprising a main frame, a mold open at its top and bottom and supported by :said :main iramein fixed relation, va sub-.frame slidably mounted on said .main frame for vertical -movement .above said mold, pushers carried by said slib-frame for .expelling ,blocks from said mold, .-a pallet supporting frame .slid-- ably suspended from said's-ub-frame for vertical movement beneath said mold to Vremovably posi tion a pallet against the bottomiof said mold, means Avfor .releasablysecuring said pallet Aframe in its upper position with a pallet against the bottom :of -said mold, means for loweringand raising said sub-trame, ,means -operative upen selective lowering of said sub-frame .for locking it with said palletrrame .to be moved together with said pushers .spaced the height of -a molded block above a ,pal-let carried .by the pallet lframe, lmeans si-multaneonsly operativeby said sub-frame for releasing said pallet frame securing means to permit movement of said pallet frame with said subframe, .and means .opera-tive by .said pallet frame when .it is lowered to free a block from .said mold to .release said sub-frame-locking means and perfpa1let fra-me to its upper `position by said subframe.

:3, .A block'molding machine .comprising .a 'mari-n trame, a -mold open at its 'top :and .bottom yand supported by said main .frame inxed relation,

conveyor imeans supported by said main frame belpw said mold, ,.fa fsubeframeslidably vmounted `on .said main frame Siorver'tical movement above rnol-d, ipushers carried by -said--subr-a-me .for

ing frame slidably suspended from said sub-frame for vertical movement beneath said mold to removably position a 'pallet against the bottom of said mold and to deposit the pallet on said conveyor means, means for releasably securing said pallet frame in its upper position with a pallet against the bottom of said mold, means for lowering and raising said sub-frame, means operative upon selective lowering of said sub-frame for locking it with said pallet frame to be moved together with said pushers spaced the height of a molded block above a pallet carried by the pallet frame, means simultaneously operative by said sub-frame for releasing said pallet frame securing means to permit movement of said pallet frame with said sub-frame, and means operative by said pallet frame as it is lowered to free a block lfrom said mold and deposit it on said conveyor to release said sub-frame locking means and permit the temporary raising of said sub-frame relative to said pallet frame while a 4pallet and molded block are removed therefrom by said conveyor and a fresh -pallet placed thereon, and prior to the raising of said pallet frame by said sub-frame.

4. A block molding machine comprising la main frame, a mold open at its top and bottom and supported by said main frame in Xed relation, a sub-frame slidably mounted on said main frame for vertical movement above said mold, pushers ycarried by said sub-frame for expelling blocks from said mold, .a pallet supporting frame slidably suspended from said sub-frame for vertical movement beneath said mold to removably position a pallet 'against the bottom of said mold, means for releasably securing said pallet Iframe in its upper position with a pallet against the bottom of said mold, means for lowering :and raising said sub-frame, means operative upon selective lowering of said sub-frame for locking it with said pallet frame to be moved together with said pushers spaced the height of a molded block aboveV a pallet carried by the pallet frame, means simultaneously operative by said sub-frame for releasin-g said pallet frame securing means to permit movement of s-aid pallet frame with said subframe, means operative by said pallet frame as it is lowered to free a block from said mold to release said sub-frame locking means and permit the temporary raising of said sub-frame relative to said pallet frame while a `pallet and molded block are removed therefrom and a fresh pallet placed thereon and prior to the raising of said pallet frame by said sub-frame, a reinforcing element support movably mounted on said main frame below said mold for feeding an element to said mold up through the bottom thereof while the pallet frame is lowered, me-ans carried by said mold for releasably securing said element in said mold while said mold is lled with block forming material, and means carried by said sub-frame for releasing said mold supported securing means as said sub-frame is lowered to expel a block from said mold.

5. A block molding machine comprising a main frame, a mold open at its top and bottom and supported by said main frame in fixed relation, a sub-frame slidably mounted on said main frame lor vertical movement above said mold, pushers carried by said sub-frame `for expelling blocks from said mold, a pallet supporting frame slid- Iably suspended from said sub-frame for vertical movement beneath said mold to removably position :a pallet against the bottom of said mold, a magnetically operated latch mounted on said main frame for releasably securing said pallet frame in its upper' position with a pallet against the bottom of said mold, a hydraulically operated piston supported by said main frame for lowering and raising said 'sub-frame, a magnetically operated latch carried by said sub-frame operative upon selective lowering of said sub-frame for locking it with said pallet frame to be moved together with said pushers spaced the height of a. molded block above a pallet carried by the pallet frame, a switch controlling said pallet frame latch-and carried by said pallet frame, simultaneously operative by said sub-frame for releasing said pallet frame latch to permit movement of said pallet frame with said sub-frame, :and la `switch con;

trolling said sub-frame latch and mounted on said main frame and operative by said pallet frame as it is lowered to free a block from said mold to release said sub-frame latch and permit the temporary raising of said sub-frame relative to said pallet frame while a pallet and molded block .are removed therefrom and a fresh pallet placed thereon and prior to the raising of said pallet frame by said sub-frame. v

6. A block molding machine comprising a main frame a mold open at its top and bottom and supported by said main frame in xed relation, endless conveyor means sup-ported by said main frame beneath said mold, a sub-frame slidably mounted on said main frame for vertical movement above said mold, pushers carried by said sub-frame for expelling blocks from said mold, a pallet supporting frame slidably suspended from said subframe for vertical movement beneath said mold to removably position a pallet against the bottom of said mold, a magnetically operated latch mounted on said main frame for releasably secur ing s-aid palletV frame in its :upper position with a pallet against the bottom of said mold, a hydraulically operated piston supported by said main frame for lowering and raising said sub-frame, a manually controlled valve for operating said piston, a magnetically operated latch carried by said sub-frame and operative upon selective lowering of said sub-frame for locking it with said pallet frame to be moved together with said pushers spaced the height of a molded block above a :pallet carried by the pallet frame, a switch controlling said pallet frame latch and carried by said pallet frame and simultaneously operative .by said sub-A frame for releasing said pallet frame latch to permit movement of said pallet frame with said subframe, a switch controlling said sub-frame latch:

mounted on said main lframe vand operative by said pallet frame as it is lowered to free a block Ifrom said mold and deposit it on said conveyor' means to release said sub-fname latch 1and permit the temporary raising of said sub-frame relative to said pallet frame while a -pallet and molded block are removed therefrom by said conveyor and a fresh pallet placed thereon and prior to the' raising of said pallet frame by said sub-frame, 4a block reinforcing element support lremovably mounted on said main frame below said mold for feeding an `element to said mold Aup through the bottom thereof while the pallet frame is lowered,

means carried by said mold for releasably scouring said element in said mold 'while said mold is lled with block forming material, and meansj carried by said sub-frame for releasing said mold supported securing means as said sub-frame is lowered to expel a block `from said mold.

LEE R. COATES. LYLE J. REISER.

No references cited. 

